Carapax Eretmochelydis
Aliases：Wén Jiǎ, Dài Mào, Dài Mào Jiǎ, Míng Dài Mào, Dài Mào, Dài Mào, Dài Mào, Shí Sān Lín (Thirteen Scales), Yīng Zuǐ Hǎi Guī (Hawksbill Turtle).
Dài Mào is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried carapace of Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus), a marine turtle belonging to the genus Eretmochelys of the family Cheloniidae. The material appears as nearly circular, triangular, or polygonal plates, 10–20 cm in length and 1.5–3 mm in thickness. The edges are thinner while the center is slightly thicker. The outer surface is semi-translucent, dark brown with alternating dark brown and milky yellow markings, smooth and lustrous; the inner surface is densely covered with white stripes or spots. It is tough and not easily broken, with a horny fracture surface. It has a faint odor and a bland taste. Currently, the hawksbill turtle has been listed as a first-class nationally protected wildlife species, and indiscriminate capture is strictly prohibited.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, detoxifies, calms the Heart, soothes the Liver, extinguishes wind, and relieves convulsions.
Indications
Indicated for febrile diseases with delirium and mania, impaired consciousness and delirium, infantile convulsions, spasms and convulsions, and carbuncles and sores. It may also be used for high fever with restlessness, dizziness, insomnia, and Yang hyperactivity stroke patterns.
Modern Pharmacology
Effects on immune function: The ethanol extract of Dài Mào shows only weak induction effects on T4 and T8 positive cells of T regulatory cell subsets in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients in vitro. Sedative, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects: Exhibits sedative, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Extract and amino acid content: The extract content is significantly increased after processing.
Ingredients
Dài Mào mainly contains keratin and gelatin. It is composed of keratin and bone tissue, with proteins as the main component. Fifteen amino acids have been identified, among which tyrosine, glycine, proline, leucine, and valine account for more than half of the total. In addition, carbon accounts for 55% of the composition, along with oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, sulfur, and other elements.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: Decoct in water: 9–15 g; or 3–6 g. It should be decocted first. Grind and extract the juice for drinking. Take in pills or powders. For external use: Apply an appropriate amount, grind into powder, and mix for topical application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with deficiency-cold patterns without fire-toxin. Use with caution in patients with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold. Use with caution during pregnancy. Avoid excessive dosage and prolonged use.
Selected Formulas
For acute wind‑stroke and sudden evil attack (Sheng Hui Fang, Daimao Wan) Take 5 liang of raw Daimao (hawksbill turtle shell, ground into powder), 5 liang of Anxixiang (Benzoin, decocted with wine into a paste and filtered), 2 liang of Zhusha (Cinnabar, finely ground and water‑refined), 0.5 liang of Xionghuang (Realgar, finely ground), 1 liang of Hupo (Amber, finely ground), 1 liang of Shexiang (Musk, finely ground), and 1 qian of Longnao (Borneol, finely ground). Mix all ingredients thoroughly, combine with Anxixiang paste to form pills the size of Gorgon seeds. Take 3 pills, ground and mixed with 3 he of children's urine and 0.5 he of fresh ginger juice, warmed together, at any time. For stroke with aphasia (Shengji Zonglu, Daimao Wan) Take 0.5 liang each of Daimao (shaved), Dansha (Cinnabar, ground), Xionghuang (Realgar, ground), and Baijiezi (White mustard seed), plus 1 fen of Shexiang (Musk, ground). Grind the five ingredients into powder and mix thoroughly. Separately, decoct 1 liang of Anxixiang with wine in a silver or stone vessel to make a paste, and form into pills the size of mung beans. Take 10 pills each time with warm children's urine, at any time. For smallpox with blackish eruptions (Douzhen Lun) Take raw Daimao and raw Xijiao (rhinoceros horn, now prohibited), grind together to obtain 1 he of juice. Add a small amount of pig heart blood and 5 spoonfuls of Zicao (Lithospermum) decoction. Mix well and take warm. For preventing smallpox toxin (Lingyuan Fang) Take raw Daimao and raw Xijiao, grind separately to obtain 1 he of juice each. Mix together and take 0.5 he warm, three times daily. For tearing eyes in windy conditions (Feihong Ji) Take 1 liang each of raw Daimao and Lingyangjiao (Antelope horn), and one pair of Shiyanzi (a type of fossil). Grind into powder. Take 1 qian each time with Bohe (Mint) decoction, once daily.
Medicinal Parts
The dried carapace (shell plates) of Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus), a marine turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container and keep in a cool, dry place.
